Fire Rehabilitation Program

Introduction
The Job's Not Done When
The Flames Are Put Out

Even before the smoke clears, work begins on the second phase of fire fighting—the job of restoring fire-ravaged rangelands from the effects of wildfire.

Sometimes the plan is to do nothing and to simply let nature take its course. On the other hand, many areas require some type of rehabilitation in order reduce soil erosion, fend off invading weeds, and to retain the natural function of the site following major fire.

While methodologies will vary according to specific site conditions and management parameters, it is clear that most arid eco-sites require re-seeding. And seeds need to be covered in order to germinate. Use of a rangeland drill to plant seed into the top layer of soil is an extremely effective method when slope and obstacles are not limiting. Chaining—the practice of pulling a large anchor chain over the land between two crawler tractors—is however, often the only practical way to cover seed. Particularly when large acreage and difficult terrain are involved.

Never-the-less the practice of chaining remains controversial to some. Even in fire rehabilitation situations involving burned areas where trees and shrubs have already been killed by fire. Concerns came to a head following the devastating 1996 fire season in which over 300,000 acres burned. The BLM’s proposal to re-seed approximately one-third of the land burned with broadcast seed, followed by chaining to cover seed, was challenged in court. When a temporary restraining order stopped work, critical time-frames for re-seeding were lost, forcing the cancellation of several rehabilitation projects.

Rather than continue the course of litigation, State Director Bill Lamb asked the Utah BLM Resource Advisory Council (RAC) to evaluate all aspects of the fire rehabilitation program. The RAC, in turn, formed a subgroup with representatives from the Paiute Indian Tribe, environmental organizations, university scientists, archeologists, natural resource specialists, and other interests to help them examine this issue.

Last November the RAC completed their evaluation and submitted their subgroup’s report along with a series of recommendations. The RAC’s report did re-affirm the need for aggressive management intervention, including the use of chaining to cover seed where trees and shrubs have been killed by wildfire. The RAC also included a call for additional training, better consultation in advance of emergencies, the need for proactive steps to streamline cultural inventories in certain instances, plus many other useful suggestions that will be incorporated in statewide policy.

"The main objective of fire rehabilitation must be the protection of
the basic resources of soil, plants, and water." -RAC Recommendations-

Understand the background of this issue using the 1996 fire season as a case study.

Seeing is believing—the hows and whys of fire rehab.

Separate Myths from Facts.

Review the Utah Resource Advisory Council's (RAC) Recommendations on BLM's Fire Rehabilitation Program. Also look at the RAC's subgroup report on this issue.

Study the State Director's Response to the eight major fire reabilitation issues covered in the Rac Recommendations and the subgroup report.

Read the Utah BLM State Director's Policy on the use of a chain to cover seed on areas where trees and shrubs have been killed by fire.

What's news?

Get all the details from the BLM's Fire Rehab Handbook.

For more information, see the following database: VEGSPEC; Fire Effects Information System.

Introduction / Fire Rehab Primer / Photo Story / Myths vs Facts / RAC Recommendations
Subgroup Report / State Director's Policy / News Releases / Fire Rehab Handbook

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